You know, I wouldn't ordinarily count myself as the experimental type so far as skincare is concerned. Which makes sense, considering the myriad of skincare mistakes I made before settling on a few tried, tested and now trusted products. But the mention of volcanic lava ash as an ingredient, is enough for my ears to perk up. I mean, wouldn't you share my curiosity? Through so many years of existence, I perceived a volcano as an unpredictable, violent entity and a potential natural disaster. But now you're telling me I can use some of that lava to treat my skin? What'd you mean "would you like to try"? Of course, I would!
That last sentence aptly sums up how my conversation with the folks at Pilgrim went. So, to cut a long, pointless story short, a week after that conversation I was cradling the two products they sent across. And in all honestly, I was beyond excited to try them. Not just because of the volcanic lava ash ingredient, but also because I was informed that the products from this range, were actually based on the beauty secrets of Jeju Island in Korea. While I may not know a lot about Koreans, they do seem to have fabulous skin. Suffice it to say, I was in!
That brings me to why I'm here. I would love to share with you what I experienced during my 2 weeks of dedicated use of these products. So, if you're inquisitive about what an ingredient like volcanic lava ash would do for your skin, this is the product review you need to put a pin on and read religiously!
Volcanic Lava Ash Body Scrub with Yugdugu & White Lotus
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My Review
First things first, I'm absolutely obsessed with the packaging of both products. With such cutesy graphics, minimal yet memorable design, and that soothing teal colour, the packaging was simply fantastic in my opinion. Even when you uncover the product and take a look at the glass container, the design strikes you as exceedingly elegant. I also really liked that both products came with a foldable informational pamphlet as well as a spatula for application. Colour me impressed!
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Next up, what I felt about the product. Now I'm going to state the two biggest worries I had before using the product. First, I was nervous about the texture. If the scrub granules ended up being too harsh, they could irritate my skin. Second, I was worried about the mess I would leave behind after using the scrub since it was more solid in form than creamy.
I used the product every 3rd day, for a total of 2 weeks. Both my initial worries were squelched by the first application. I actually found the texture of the scrub to be fine and pleasant, it was neither too harsh nor too gentle. I also found out that the granules are self-dissolving, so the scrub gets milder during your application, and is also extremely easy to wash off. When I stepped out of the shower after this first try, my skin felt more supple and I also thought that my tan was somewhat lighter.
By the end of these 2 weeks, I could definitely confirm the wonderful tan-removing properties of this scrub by Pilgrim. In addition, every application made my skin smoother and softer to the touch. I also noticed that some dark spots on my legs that had been there for as long as I could remember, had become considerably lighter after these 2 weeks. So all in all, I would score this product a perfect 5 on 5. There really wasn't any quality I did not take a liking to.
Shea & Cocoa Body Butter with White Lotus
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My Review
I applied this body butter every day for a period of 2 weeks. The product can be a bit heavy if you're looking for lightweight moisturising solutions, but my winter-dry skin soaked up the product almost instantly so for me it worked wonderfully. The first quality I fell in love with was the smell. This body butter by Pilgrim smells absolutely heavenly, and the sweet aroma is quite long-lasting. In my experience, even the most promising hand creams lose their smell an hour or so into the application. But the scent of this one lingered for several hours, definitely a lot longer than I was expecting!
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Next up, the texture and consistency. This body butter is silky smooth and the texture of the product is excellent. Despite being laden with moisturizing and hydrating properties, the product is very quick-absorbing. Not just that, once it's been soaked in by your skin, the effects last for nearly an entire day. After my first few applications, I noticed that my skin didn't feel itchy and dehydrated anymore. On the contrary, I could spot a healthy glow on my skin and feel the intense hydration it was now lapping up.
2 weeks of consistent use later, I can declare one thing. Pilgrim's body butter is, hands-down, the best I've tried so far. Seriously, right after this, I ordered another batch because I think I just found my miracle body cream. Here's why. First of all, I could definitely feel the difference in how soft and supple my skin felt. After using this product in tandem with the body scrub, I can tell you with assurance that the skin on my body has never felt healthier. Also, I observed that the product actually lightened the appearance of my scars and stretch marks, so that for me was a huge plus. So, with complete frankness, I would like to score this product more than 5 out of 5!
To Sum Up
I went in with a lot of curiosity and came out highly satisfied with both the Pilgrim products. From the packaging to the product quality and quantity, to the effects they left behind, everything about both these products was beyond excellent. I also witnessed how powerful an ingredient volcanic lava ash can be, and I have my healthier, more hydrated skin to vouch for that. And while I generally avoid making sweeping statements in product reviews, this is a brand I would recommend wholeheartedly. Seriously, try the products that I did and see the magic for yourself!